Estimating urban natural ventilation potential by noise mapping and building energy simulation

Maximising the natural ventilation of a building can be beneficial in terms of comfort and reduced reliance on air conditioning. In noisy urban areas this can conflict with the need to reduce the ingress of external noise. In this study the effect of building exposure to noise on natural ventilation potential is investigated. The occurrence of window openings on a building façade was adjusted according to road traffic noise levels. Road traffic noise levels at the building façade were modelled using a noise map of Manchester in CadnaA. Window openings were adjusted in representative DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus building energy models with calculated natural ventilation and opening schedulings. This enabled acoustic considerations to be quantified in terms of building ventilation and chiller energy use at the whole building level over a summer time period.